China-US Pledge Further Cooperation at End of Summit

Anchor: The first round of China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue concluded on Tuesday in Washington with the two sides pledging to enhance bilateral cooperation on regional and international issues. Our reporter Wang Ling brings more.

Reporter: Top leaders and officials from both sides expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the talks. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton described the Dialogue as "unprecedented" in the two countries' bilateral relations.

"We just finished a very thorough, intense and productive two days. What has taken place over the past two days is unprecedented in US-China relations. The meetings we have just concluded represent the largest gathering ever of top leaders from our two countries. The range of issues covered was unparalleled. The result is that we have laid the foundation for a positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship for the 21st century."

While portraying the two days of high-level talks as a positive development in US-China relations, the list of accomplishments on the economic side reaffirmed steps both nations have already taken to deal with the financial crisis. In his comments on Tuesday, Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan, said China will continue its stimulus efforts and work to restore economic growth.

"The two sides recognized that at this crucial time when the global economy is moving out of the crisis and toward recovery, to stimulate economic growth remains the top priority for China-US cooperation. The two sides need to strengthen macroeconomic policy coordination, stabilize financial markets, and work to restore economic growth and create jobs. At the same time, the two sides should actively transform economic growth patterns focused on restructuring, step up cooperation in such areas as healthcare reform and development of the social security system, and promote sustainable economic development."

US Treasure Secretary Timothy Geithner said he wanted to underscore China-US joint response to help bring the world economy back on track.

"We can build upon our joint response to the global financial crisis by continuing to provide constructive leadership and support for the institutions underpinning global financial stability. We also talk about additional measures the two countries can take to support a more open trading system, to discourage protection policies and take advantage of new opportunities, to expand trade and investment to create jobs and to bring benefits to our companies and citizens."

Regarding geopolitics, top foreign-policy-makers from both sides discussed the issues of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and promoting stability and development in Afghanistan and Pakistan. China's state councilor, Dai Bingguo, expected the achievements of the talks will be put into action soon.

"The important mission is to turn what has been said into action. China is ready to work together with the US to stay firmly committed to building a positive China-US partnership, and comprehensive relations for the 21st century so that we can bring benefits to our two countries and also the whole world and to our children and children's children."

On the mechanism of the dialogue itself, both sides agreed that the China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue will continue to advance bilateral relations in tandem with other existing bilateral mechanisms. A second round of dialogue is scheduled in Beijing next year.

Wang Ling CRI news.